Buckle



Feb 18, 1941'. M T 2,232,188

7 BUCKLE Filed Oct. 27, 1939 III Patented Feb. 18, 1941 i i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUCKLE.

Clarence M. Smith, Naugatuck, Conn., assignor to Parva Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application October 27, 1939, Serial No. 301,545

' 8 Claims. (01. 24-194) This invention relates to a buckle and has which is sometimes mistaken for the opening special reference to a slide buckle adapted to be through which the strap shouldbe threaded since mounted on a strap, band or the like, for securing the end of one frame of the buckle, in an open articles together or for the support of garments position, ordinarily lies adjacent the strapor other objects. engaging cross bar of the other frame of the More particularly, this invention relates to a buckle. It is not, therefore, unusual to find that buckle for association with a strap comprising a the user of the article incorrectly threads the pair of frames disposed in a face-to-face relation strap through the Wrong openings. The present for longitudinally slidable engagement therebeinvention has for one of its objects, therefore,

10 tween, each having spaced side bars and spaced to obstruct the space between the one end of 10 cross bars connecting the side bars for defining the frame and the strap-engaging face of the openings therethrough to receive the strap, and other frame so that it is impossible to thread means for directing longitudinal movements of the strap therebetween and therefore a correct the frames, one cross bar of one of the frames threading of the strap through the openings of having an inclined surface co-operating with one the frames is facilitated. 15 cross bar of the other of the frames to clamp One of the objects of this invention is to prothe strap threaded therebetween in adjusted vide a buckle having relatively slidable frame positions upon relative longitudinal movement of members of the character indicated above in the frames in one direction, with means on one which the construction is relatively inexpensive of the frames co-operating with the other of the to manufacture, is durable, and is Simple in e 20 frames upon relative longitudinal movement struction, in threa and in manipulatienthereof in the other direction to obstruct the Another object of this invention is to provide space between the inclined surface of the one a buckle having relatively slidable frame memframe and one end of the other frame whereby hers 0f the ype hereinelbeve described w y to facilitate the correct threading of the strap the Correct threading Of the t p through the 25 through the openings 01 the frames, openings of the frames is facilitated.

The device of the present invention may be Other objects and advantages of this invention adapted for use in various connections d, s will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out a matter of fact, the construction may be emand, for a mere complete understanding of the ployed with slight variations not departing from characteristic features of this invention, refer- 3c the spirit of this invention almost universally ehce y now be had the following description where detachable connections are desired. Here- When taken together h e accompanying after and in the drawing the device will be dedrawing, in Which latter; scribed and shown in its association with the Figure 1 S a front w Of a buckle p a strap of a belt, although it is: readily understood ns t e ture Of is nven on as Sh wn in i s 35 that the buckle may be employed with a strap relation With a t p; for skates, books and the like, for attachment Figure 2 is an enlarged central sectional view to lingerie, for encircling the leg as a hose sup- 0f the buckle taken on the line of porter, for use as a suspender, or for detachable a portion of the strap being shown in dotted lines engagement with garments of various characters. as being clamped in an djus d po within 40 It is, of course, to be understood that various e me of the bu k e;

other uses may be mentioned and that this in- Fi 3 s a v w sim ar t F 2 s wi the vention is not to be limited to any single specific frames of the buckle in a changed P t With use. the strap loosely threaded-therethrough; I The buckle contemplated herein is so con- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 4'5 structed and arranged as to facilitate the correct of threading of the strap through the openings of Fig. 5 is a perspective View of one of the frames the frames. Each of the frames, which lie in a of e buckle Shown in d face-to-face relation for longitudinal slidable en- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the other of the gagement, is provided with openings through frames of the buckle shown in Fi 5 which the strap is threaded. When the frames Referring now more particularly to the draware in an unclamped position such that the strap ing, the construction therein shown as embodying may be threaded readily through the openings the features of this invention comprises a pair thereof, the end of one of the frames ordinarily of frame members l0 and II, the frame member presents a space between it and the other frame l0 being substantially rectangular in shape and as having spaced side bars I2 and I3 connected by spaced cross bars I4 and I5 to define a strap opening. The frame II is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and has spaced side bars I6 and II connected by spaced cross bars I8 and I9 forming a strap opening.

The side bars I2 and I3 of the frame III comprise opposed channels, ledges 2i] and 2I (as shown more particularly in Fig. 4) extending in a direction inwardly toward each other from one edge of the side bars I2 and I3, respectively, and ledges 22 and 23 extending in a direction inwardly toward each other from the other edge of side bars I2 and I3, respectively. The opposed channels thus formed receive the side bars I6 and II of the frame II for directing relative longitudinal movements of the frames. I

The cross bar I4 of the frame It is preferably inclined and has an extending portion bent back-- upon itself from the material of the opening of the frame to overlie the inclined portion and present an inclined strap-engaging face 24.

The cross bar I9 of the frame II is provided with an offset portion 25 which is preferably cut and deformed from the material of the frame to provide the strap opening therein, the offset portion being preferably of arcuate contour when viewed in cross-section for co-operation with the inclined surface 24 of the cross bar I4 to clamp a strap 26 in adjusted positions therebetween. The offset portion being rounded, while effectively preventing accidental movement of the strap from its clamped position, does not permanently mar the strap as pressure is applied between the strap-engaging surfaces. The side bars I6 and II are each provided with an extension 21 and 28, the extensions being preferably formed integrally with the side bars. The extensions 21 and 28 slidably engage in their longitudinal movement the opposed channels formed by the side bars I2 and I3 of the frame I0.

In order to prevent angular displacement of the frame II with respect to its normal longitudinal movement, the ledges 22 and 23 are provided with angularly extending flanges 29 and 30, respectively, the flanges 29 and 30 overlying the sides of the extensions 21 and 28 to form a guideway therefor. The frame II together with its extensions 21 and 28 lies wholly within the confines of the frame III even during the relative longitudinal movement thereof in both directions.

In the position shown in Fig. 2, the frame I I is moved in one direction with respect to frame II] to clamp the strap 26 between the strap-engaging offset portion 25 of the cross bar I9 and the strap-engaging inclined face 24 of the cross bar I4, the free end of thestrap 26 being threaded through the opening in the frame I I and between the offset portion 25 thereof and the inclined strap-engaging face 24 through the opening in theframe If]. The strap 26 is shown in a disengaged condition between the strap-engaging faces in Fig. 3, the frame II being moved in an opposite longitudinal direction to separate the offset strap-engaging portion 25 of the frame II with the inclined strap-engaging portion 24 of the cross bar I4.

In order to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through theopenings of the frames I0 and II, it is desirable that the space between the end of the cross bar I8 and the strap-engaging face 24 of the cross bar I4 be obstructed so that the strap cannot be threaded therebetween. The present invention contemplates as one form of construction the provision of the opposed channels, the channels being of varying depth over the length thereof so that as the extension rides along one wall of the channel during relative longitudinal movement of the frames it will tilt the frame I I with respect to the frame If) so that the cross bar I8 will follow substantially the incline of the strap-engaging face 24. The space between the end of the frame I I and the inclined strap-engaging face 24 will be obstructed by being smaller than the thickness of the strap during the positions of relative longitudinal movement of the frames so as to prevent the strap from being threaded therebetween.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the opposed walls 2i! and 22', and 2| and 23 of the respective channels forming the side bars I2 and I3, converge in the direction of the lengths thereof from the cross bar I4. The extensions 21 ad 28 ride along the walls 22 and 23 and in one direction of movemerit of the frames the extensions are depressed, as shown in Fig. 3, to tilt the frame If on the cross bar I9 so that the cross bar I8 is raised progressively as-the extensions move in a direction outwardly from the cross bar I4.

When the strap is threaded through the opening in the frame II, between the strap-engaging faces of the frames and out of the opening of the other frame I 0 and tension is applied to the strap, the frames are moved from the condition shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 2', and the extensions 21 and 28 are permitted to rise and consequently tilt the frame so that the cross bar I8 may be lowered progressively into the position shown in Fig. 2. In no condition of use of the buckle can the strap be threaded through the frames III and II, it being necessary that th'e strap pass through the openings of the frames in the correct position for clamping between the strap-engaging faces 24 and 25 thereof. The end of the frame II constituting the cross bar I8 is always in a position immediately adjacent to the strap-engaging face 24 so as to obstruct the space therebetween and to prevent the threading of the strap therethrough.

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, means for directing longitudinal movement of the frames, one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface co-operating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, and means on one of said frames for tilting the other of said frames upon relative longitudinal movement of the frames in the other direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of 'the one frame and one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of saidframes.

' 2. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, means for directing longitudinal movement of the frames, one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface co-operating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, and a projection fixed to and extending from one of said frames for engaging the other of said frames to effect a relative tilting between said frames upon relative longitudinal movement thereof in the other direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of the one frame and one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of said frames.

3. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, means for directing longitudinal movement of the frames, one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface co-operating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, the side bars on one of said frames having tapered surfaces, and projections on the side bars of the other of said frames for engaging said tapered surfaces of the side bars to efiect a relative tilting between said frames upon relative longitudinal movement thereof in the other direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of the one frame and one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of said frames.

4. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, opposed channels formed on the side bars of one of said frames for receiving the side bars of the other of said frames for directing relative longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface co-operating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, said channel side bars of one frame coacting with the sides of the other frame to effect a relative tilting of said frames upon relative longitudinal movement of the frames in the other direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of the one frame and one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of the frames.

5. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spacedside barsand spaced cross bars connectingsaid side 'bars'for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, opposed channels formed on theside bars of one of said frames for receiving the side bars of the other of said frames for directing relative longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface co-operating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, and extensions on the side bars of one of said frames coacting with-said channel side bars of the other frame to effect a relative tilting of said frames upon relative longitudinal movement thereof in the other direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of the one frame and. one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of the frames.

6. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, opposed channels formed on the side bars of one of said frames for receiving the side bars of the other of said frames for directing relative longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface co-operating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, and extensions on the side bars of one of said frames, said channel side bars of the other frame being of varying depth over the length thereof and coacting with said extensions to effect a tilting of said frames upon relative longitudinal movement thereof in the other direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of the one frame and one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of the frames.

7. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings there through to receive the strap, opposed channels formed on the side bars of one of said frames for receiving the side bars of the other of said frames for directing relative longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface co-operating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, and extensions on the side bars of one of said frames, the opposed walls of said channel side bars of the other frame converging in the direction of the lengths thereof and coacting with said extensions to effect a tilting of said frames upon relative longitudinal movement thereof in the other direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of the one frame and one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of the frames.

8. A slide'buckle for association with a'strap, comprising a pairof framesdisposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, opposed channels formed on the side bars of one of said frames for receiving the side bars of the other of said frames for directing relative longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of the frames havingan inclined surface co-op-erating with one cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, and extension-s on the side bars of one of said frames tapering in the direction of their length, the opposed walls of said channel side bars of the other frame converging in the direction of the lengths thereof and co acting with said tapered extensions to efiect-a tilting of said frames upon relative longitudinal movement thereof in one direction to obstruct the space between said inclined surface of the one frame and one end of the other frame whereby to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of the frames.

CLARENCE M. SMITH. 

